S I Q U I J O R

Love at first sight

That I landed at Siquijor, was a lucky break due to the cancellation of a scheduled afternoon fastcraft ferry trip from Tagbilaran to Cebu.

The port while waiting tim for the late evening boat which did not arrive, I saw in the port area another counter of a Shipping Lne and I decided to change my destination and bought a ticket to Larena in Siquijor.

After two-and-a-half hours sailing time for the 30 nautical miles (56 kilometers), my bicycle and I landed in the town of Larena in Siquijor, this island located southwest of Bohol and east of the southern tip of Negros.

Larena is located at the north-west tip of the island of siquijor. It is the commercial center. Its port the main entry gate for passengers and cargo from Central Visayas and Mindanao. There are six municipalities on the island.

Opposite the pier is the lodging house and restaurant of "Louisa & Sons". Six rooms with electric fan available at 150 Pesos per night.

I woke up the next morning to sunshine, cloudy only over the mountains in the center of the island.

On a road excellent conditions along the northern coast, with a view of Negros, I rode my bike for 30 minutes to cover the eleven kilometers towards the island's capital town, Siquijor. Pictureque St. Francis de Assisi convent and hospital, the Bellwower and the provincial Capitol are located in the center of this town.

Pumpboat service is available between Dumaguete and Siquijor, Sologon and Tambisan. The only airport which serves charter flights to Cebu and Dumaguete is located at Cang-alwang.

I rested at "Calalinan Beach Garden & Mini Hotel", a very nice place surrounded by old trees. The resort is owned by a Dutchman and his Filipina wife. Eight rooms with electric fan are available for rates between 200 and 400 Pesos.

On the road to San Juan at the southwest coast one can glipmpse the horizon Apo Island and the mountains of Mindanao. The heart of this town is the "St. John de Capilay Lake". Fed by natural springs it has been developed and improved by the Philippine Tourism Authority.

Lazi is the southern tip of the Island. From its harbor are connections to Northern Mindanao. Located on a tree-sheded hill is öthe old St. Isidore Parish Church (completed in 1884) and the hube Convento (1891). Both have been declared National Historical Monuments.

The sixteen kilometers road between San Juan and Lazi was bumpy and slowed me down. It was getting late and so I was very thankful for a "private" invitation to stop-opver - an occasion to enjoy the warm hospitality of the residents.

I reached Lazi late morning the next day. This town is the starting point for a discovery trip to the mountain area on the slope of Mount Malabahoc which is 676 meters (2,060 feet) at the highest peak.

When I returned to Lazi, there were no more jeepneys to Larena. Instead, I hired an "Island Taxi", motor-bikes which have creative seat extension to carry 5-6 passengers. The fare for the "special" trip to Larena was 200 Pesos.

We passed the town of Maria. The giant acacia trees and the great stone church was silhoutted in the evening dusk. It was too late to visit the lovely Salagdoon Beach.

We passed Enrique Villanueva, once a barangay of Larena. Tow miles east is Daqui Shoal, a poular diving spot.

Several Shipping Lines offer over night trips from Larena to Cebu. The other alternative - go to Dumaguete and take a fast craft ferry to Cebu.

Siquijor is an ideal island for a "biker". It has lonely white sandy beaches, clear and clean seawater with bountiful marine life, a pollution free environment - no industrial zones, very good road conditions, in the mountain area waterfalls and hot springs ..... friendly people!

It was "Love at first sight". There is so much to discover ..... for the next.....

Alfred N. Bruckner